US opens probe after Tesla crashes into Texas home, killing 76-year-old woman
US auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has launched a special investigation after a Tesla Model 3 using an automated driving feature crashed into a home in Texas, killing a 76-year-old woman.
The fatal incident occurred near Houston on June 20 when the vehicle reportedly veered off the road, crossed a lawn at high speed and slammed into a residential property. The victim, identified as Martha Avila, was inside the house when the car crashed through the front room.
According to local authorities, the driver told investigators that an automated driving feature was active at the time of the crash. However, officials have not yet determined whether the technology played a role in the accident. The driver was not found to be under the influence of alcohol and is cooperating with the investigation.
The probe is significant as Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to expand the company's autonomous driving ambitions, including the rollout of robotaxi services in several US cities.
The NHTSA has previously opened multiple investigations involving Tesla's self-driving and driver-assistance technologies. Agency records show dozens of special crash investigations involving Tesla vehicles over the past decade, some of which resulted in fatalities.
The latest inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, the performance of the automated driving system, and whether any safety issues contributed to the incident.
